China miss opportunity in South Sudan
By Steve Paterno
April 29, 2012 — The relationship between People’s Republic of China and newly independent state of South Sudan has always never been strong. China close ties to the Sudanese regime in Khartoum play significant role in straining relationship between China and South Sudan. Of recent, such already strained relationship is further troubled, when South Sudan accused Chinese oil companies for being in cohort or at least complacence with Khartoum stealing the oil of South Sudan. The accusation resulted into expulsion of Liu Yingcai, the head of China’s oil operating company in the country. The expulsion was accompanied with stern warnings for more repercussion to follow against Chinese involvements in South Sudan. This strenuous relationship is even complicated more, with engagements of Western powers in Sudanese affairs, particularly the USA influence over South Sudan.
However, the current escalation of violences between Khartoum and Juba provides great opportunity for China to amend things and entice South Sudan into developing better relationship with the newly emerged country. China has more at stakes as far as South Sudan is concern. It needs to ensure stable flow of its oil from South Sudan. China is the major importer of oil produced in South Sudan. With the growing influence of the West in the region, China also needs to exert its political and economic influence over South Sudan to offset the challenges and competion of the West. More importantly, China needs to build and foster trust as an strategic partner with South Sudan.
The recent visit by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir to China amidst ongoing crisis in South Sudan underscores the significance of China-South Sudan relationship. South Sudanese strongest Western ally, the United States of America already bailed out on South Sudan, when the newly emerged country needed a friend at most critical point; facing Khartoum’s flagrant onslaught against the country. In the current border dispute, particularly over Panthou, US completely behaves out of a norm of being a friend, risking losing trust of South Sudan. America was among the first to jump into fray of condemning South Sudan for overrunning Panthou in self defense against Khartoum’s constant aggression. Traditionally, an ally like US would have sticked along with South Sudan, and if it so believes South Sudan violated any international law by militarily taking over Panthou, then it must at least refrain from joining forces with the allies of Khartoum in public condemnation of South Sudan. The US has more leverage and influence in defusing the tension between Sudan and South Sudan than abandoning South Sudan as it has done. As Jendayi Elizabeth Frazer, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, eloquently explained, America needs “to give South Sudan a security blanket,” and tell the North, “if you mess with the South, you mess with the United States.”
Since the US fails on South Sudan, sending the country in isolation undeservingly, South Sudan turns to China, which is complemented with the visit of President’s Salva Kiir into the People’s Republic of China. Unfortunately, China also failed South Sudan. China avoided to address South Sudanese most pressing issues, which is security and oil; specifically Khartoum’s flagrant aggression and constructions of alternative oil pipeline for South Sudan. Even though China pledges to assist South Sudan’s developmental needs in other sectors, South Sudan very existence is threatened security wise and economically by the regime in Khartoum, China’s closest ally. For China to secure its political and economic interest in the region, it must urgently address South Sudanese concerns over the regime in Khartoum.
Thus far, South Sudan already fulfills its international and partnership obligations. Despite overtaking Panthou in self defenses—in bravely military show of force, a land that rightly belongs to South Sudan, but occupied by the North Sudan, the country is able to pull out its troops under intense international pressure. South Sudan government has decided, unilaterally to do things in deescalating the border rows with North Sudan—things which are unpopular with South Sudanese masses. Even worst, South Sudan accepts its citizens to be bombed and killed by Khartoum’s aerial bombardments so as to win the trust of international community and allies. What is left now is the role of international communities to reciprocate South Sudanese friendly gestures. It is up to the allies of South Sudan to prove the worth of friendship. South Sudan already played it roles and cannot play being nice than it has already done. As far as South Sudan’s natural resources are concerned, which draws the interest of friends in the first place, the country has already decided that those resources rather remain deep underneath the ground than exploited by enemies of South Sudan. So, is there a South Sudanese ally out there who is willing to engage in real mutual friendship?
Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at [email protected]